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I have an iPad2 and use it only for recreational purposes like you mentioned and I have never had an issue with it after almost 2 years of use. The battery still holds a good charge, although not as good as before the big I.O.S 7 update even after all the battery saving tips out there on the web.

At the time of purchasing mine, I was debating between the iPad and the Samsung galaxy. Honestly I went to Best Buy and played with each one for a good bit. There wasn't a significant difference, so I just went with the iPad2 since I knew the app store was pretty good and people would probably be more inclined to make apps for the iPad since it was popular. I am sure the Google Play store has caught up a good bit though.

My only regret is not getting one with bigger memory. I have the 16gb and I am almost out of space and don't have any songs or movies stored on the unit.

Damn, I just wrote a long piece and lost it due to a power failure. here is the short version. I have a big Ipad, a big Kindle, and two small kindles. Everything has advantages and disadvantages.

The iPad is easy to use. Marie is tech challenged so that is best for her. It is way overpriced plus you are in their walled garden which means restrictive which means even more costs. Otherwise it looks great.

I don't know about the Windows tabs. Might be good convergence if you also use a Windows phone and X-box. They do not have a great app collection yet. Maybe best for business use.

Android tabs work great. You have a much wider choice of make and model. There may be a bit of a learning curve if you do not have an Android phone. Check out Nexus tabs. Samsung too.

The Kindle is easy to use and is based on their own version of Android. You do not have access to the full Google app store though. Amazon has their own. It has about 75% of Google's but many that are paid apps elsewhere are free with Kindle. It is built primarily for entertainment purposes. Built in connection to Amazon Prime.

Amazon Prime. I consider this a must for tab, phone, and computer. The price goes up next month from $79 per year to $99. In addition to free 2 day shipping on many of the stuff from Amazon you get their e-book library and their Netflix like video service. You can check a free month out here and I will make $2. LOL. http://www.amazon.com/gp/prime/signu...g=theyancey-20. I bought my 8.9" Kindle as a refurb to save some bucks and see if I liked it. They still have some for $129. Comes with the same 1 year warranty as new. http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...g=theyancey-20.

There is no such thing as perfect tab yet. Like I said each has its good parts and its drawbacks. I'll add one thing. Marie is freaky about the iPad. Because of its cost she won't take it places. The cheap Kindle goes to the gym and everywhere else. Get Amazon Prime no matter what tab you get.

Word of advice, don't skimp on the 3G/4G. If you do you will regret it from day one.

Interesting. I thought 3G/4G could be useful considering my internet at my apartment is not great. However, I saw the rates for data and it looks like between 10-20 bucks a month just for 1 GB of data. Obviously, if I'm going to be using this tablet a lot and hooked up to 3G/4G, I'd be using a lot more than 1 GB of data per month. Thus, I'd be looking at potentially $30 or more per month just to pay for the data usage of the tablet. Plus I'd have the initial price bump due to the ability to connect to 3G/4G. Seems like I'd be locking myself into a lot of $.

__________________Actually, it only takes one drink to get me loaded. Trouble is, I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or fourteenth.

We don't have 3G/4G on any of our tabs and we don't find that we need it. Wifi is everywhere. I did upgrade our home wireless connection though. BTW, if I ever did need to connect a tab via cell I could simply do it through a hot spot through my existing phone and that would work will all of our devices.

Interesting. I thought 3G/4G could be useful considering my internet at my apartment is not great. However, I saw the rates for data and it looks like between 10-20 bucks a month just for 1 GB of data. Obviously, if I'm going to be using this tablet a lot and hooked up to 3G/4G, I'd be using a lot more than 1 GB of data per month. Thus, I'd be looking at potentially $30 or more per month just to pay for the data usage of the tablet. Plus I'd have the initial price bump due to the ability to connect to 3G/4G. Seems like I'd be locking myself into a lot of $.

Yeah, sorry didn't think about that. I am grandfathered into the Sprint all I can use data plan so I don't think about things like that.

I have an iPad mini and a Galaxy s4 tablet. Judging by your wants, I'd go with a windows tab or a regular size iPad. Windows tablets are really easy to use, but the droid tablets I've seen are fairly small, otherwise I'd recommend that.

I have the Galaxy Note 10.1 and love it. The split screen functionality, the built-in stylus, and the office suite software were what sold me.

The only thing I'd complain about is the lack of good cases for it. Maybe I just haven't looked around enough. I'd also consider thinking again about the screen sizes. Small differences in size aren't going to make that big a difference in your viewing experience but may make a large difference in the weight and ease of handling the device. For instance, I've been at the airport trying to watch a video on my tablet while drinking a coffee; without a table around to put the device down on, the extra weight can start to wear on you after awhile. If I had the choice to do over again, I'd have gone for a smaller size screen. Those smaller size screens also feel better to me when trying to read ebooks on them.

I have the Galaxy Note 10.1 and love it. The split screen functionality, the built-in stylus, and the office suite software were what sold me.

The only thing I'd complain about is the lack of good cases for it. Maybe I just haven't looked around enough. I'd also consider thinking again about the screen sizes. Small differences in size aren't going to make that big a difference in your viewing experience but may make a large difference in the weight and ease of handling the device. For instance, I've been at the airport trying to watch a video on my tablet while drinking a coffee; without a table around to put the device down on, the extra weight can start to wear on you after awhile. If I had the choice to do over again, I'd have gone for a smaller size screen. Those smaller size screens also feel better to me when trying to read ebooks on them.

I have to agree with you about the size. The big iPad is just not suited to hold. Great on a desk or counter though. My 7" is good enough for most uses but I find that the Kindle 8.9" really hits the sweet spot. Big enough to watch a flick on but not so big that it is difficult to hold.

I love my Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tab. It goes for many hours on a charge, which was what attracted me. I use it to read email, watch videos, surf the internet, much like what you propose doing with yours. Less expensive than the Note, good if you don't need any business applications. I bought a nice protective case for it on Amazon.

Currently I'm thinking either an Ipad 2, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, or a Windows Surface. I'm not going to get any of the latest generation stuff just due to the price. Having had a MacBook and an iPhone and used an iPad before, I certainly have familiarity with Apple products. However, I do know the screen resolution isn't great and evidently some consider the iPad 2 a relic.

The more I keep researching these, the more I keep talking myself in circles!

__________________Actually, it only takes one drink to get me loaded. Trouble is, I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or fourteenth.

Currently I'm thinking either an Ipad 2, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, or a Windows Surface. I'm not going to get any of the latest generation stuff just due to the price. Having had a MacBook and an iPhone and used an iPad before, I certainly have familiarity with Apple products. However, I do know the screen resolution isn't great and evidently some consider the iPad 2 a relic.

The more I keep researching these, the more I keep talking myself in circles!

I have the one in bold. It's awesome. Sorry, I have the Tab 3 10.1 Note with the S Pen...

Currently I'm thinking either an Ipad 2, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, or a Windows Surface. I'm not going to get any of the latest generation stuff just due to the price. Having had a MacBook and an iPhone and used an iPad before, I certainly have familiarity with Apple products. However, I do know the screen resolution isn't great and evidently some consider the iPad 2 a relic.

The more I keep researching these, the more I keep talking myself in circles!

If you didn't know, Apple just discountinued the Ipad 2 and replaced it with the 4th gen at the same $399 price point. You can also look for deals on their outlet with all items coming with a 1 year warranty - http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad Since they just announced the price cut for the 4th gen, the refurb prices should fall soon.

If you didn't know, Apple just discountinued the Ipad 2 and replaced it with the 4th gen at the same $399 price point. You can also look for deals on their outlet with all items coming with a 1 year warranty - http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad Since they just announced the price cut for the 4th gen, the refurb prices should fall soon.

Yes I did see this. Looks like the iPad 4 is an upgrade, but I was especially interested in the $299 price of iPad 2's that are still available. Would the extra $100 be worth it for the iPad 4?

__________________Actually, it only takes one drink to get me loaded. Trouble is, I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or fourteenth.

We don't have 3G/4G on any of our tabs and we don't find that we need it. Wifi is everywhere. I did upgrade our home wireless connection though. BTW, if I ever did need to connect a tab via cell I could simply do it through a hot spot through my existing phone and that would work will all of our devices.

I use mine in the same way. Hook to WiFi at most places, use my phone as a hotspot at others, if needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipull4usc

Yes I did see this. Looks like the iPad 4 is an upgrade, but I was especially interested in the $299 price of iPad 2's that are still available. Would the extra $100 be worth it for the iPad 4?

[quote=ipull4usc;4116882]Yes I did see this. Looks like the iPad 4 is an upgrade, but I was especially interested in the $299 price of iPad 2's that are still available. Would the extra $100 be worth it for the iPad 4?[/

I would go with the newer one just because apple will keep giving updates to that one longer